Economic Development & Global Competiveness
FY2016 Strategic Focus Area Plan
“Charlotte will strengthen its position as a city of
prominence in the global marketplace by building upon its
competitive advantages.”
To achieve its vision, the City must leverage partnerships to seize new opportunities in a global
marketplace. The City’s economic development strategy will focus on:
• Developing a global logistics center at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport,
• Enhancing relationships with our universities and education system to support and commercialize
research and technology,
• Targeting industry growth in high-potential sectors, capitalizing on Charlotte’s unique profile,
• Developing neighborhoods and business districts to create places attractive for people to live and
businesses to invest,
• Encouraging business expansion by streamlining the regulatory environment, and
• Preparing youth and young adults for employment success.
FY2016 Initiatives
Key Indicators
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Facilitate the growth of small businesses
and high growth entrepreneurs in our
community.
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Promote the holistic development of
targeted business districts and
neighborhoods.
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Work with universities and the education
system, local industry leaders, and other
economic development partners to drive
global competitiveness, job creation, and
job retention in the energy, finance,
information technology, logistics, and
advanced manufacturing sectors.
Introduce youth and young adults to
employment opportunities with potential
for long-term growth and development.
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Grow Charlotte’s tourism industry through
amateur sports development and
programming.
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Increased utilization of the City’s web portal
(CharlotteBusinessResources.com) to meet the needs of
emerging and growing small businesses
Source solutions to the City’s needs from local start-ups and
small businesses by using the Small Business Services program
and Code for America Charlotte Brigade
Increased contracting opportunities for small businesses and
local minority and women-owned firms through the Charlotte
Business INClusion Program
Participation in Community Collaborative(s) to advance
technology and promote digital inclusion to startup companies in
light of Google Fiber’s planned investment
Private investment stimulated in targeted areas of opportunity
and within areas identified by the Community Investment Plan
and the Business Corridor Revitalization Plan. Examples include
the Applied Innovation Corridor, the Northwest Corridor, the
Eastland area, the West Boulevard area, and the Freedom Drive
area
Creation of a Global Logistics Center Strategy for the area
surrounding the airport
Increased leads for foreign direct investment through the
International Relations Office
Support of Charlotte’s emergence as the center of a two-state
energy hub by collaborating with partners, such as E4 Carolinas
and CLT Joules
Re-tooling of the Business Investment Grant program to better
align with business needs
Incorporate Smart City attributes as part of economic growth in
Charlotte
Increased number of work experiences and summer internships
through Mayor’s Youth Employment Program
Creation of an apprenticeship strategy
Continue to pursue a plan for the redevelopment of the
Bojangles/Ovens area
Identified solutions for needs associated with amateur sports,
such as swimming, tennis, baseball, rugby, lacrosse, and soccer
Maximized utilization of community-use days at Bank of America
Stadium and BB&T Ballpark
Economic Development & Global Competitiveness